First Day of School... and More

My baby Gabe started kindergarten today. Momma wasn't quite as prepared as I would have hoped to have been. It is hard to see the little ones take that big step but I was so proud of him and Grace who started 2nd grade. She was mother goose helping get him ready and encouraging him with lots of words of wisdom.

Not to go a day without a bit of laughter, Gabe started the day off right. As we were waiting for the bus stop I was fussing over his jacket and hat and he asked his grandma, "Munga, do you think the girls will think I'm too hot?" I can't imagine what it will be like when he is a little older if he is already thinking he's going to have to push back on all the ladies. : )

As the day went on I became more and more impatient for the end of the day. I was excited to hear how their day went. I met them at the bus stop in hopes of getting a picture of them stepping off the bus. There was a delay after the bus stopped at our driveway. I saw Grace standing at his front seat but wasn’t sure what was happening. It was then that the bus driver told me what was going on. Gabe had fallen asleep and Grace was waking him. Once he got up and was standing at the top of the steps, I had to take his backpack. He declared he was just too tired to carry it. He then sat on his butt and slid down the bus steps. My boy was wore out. : )

Grace was very excited and quickly shared the details of her day. She was pleased to see old friends and happy to meet new. Later in the evening, as I was helping her get a bath, I said that we would need to figure out a new goal for her to work toward as a reward for continuing to patch her eye. She recently received a guinea pig as a reward for clocking many hours this summer. Not one to miss a beat, she quickly said, "I'm thinking of a horse." As I cracked up she then asked, "What? It can't be more work than a guinea pig? : )

Today was a great day. Hopefully more smiles to come tomorrow.

Fourth of July Hottie

Tonight I took the kids to see fireworks in Ford City. On the way, we stopped at Dairy Queen to get some ice cream. While waiting in the drive-thru line, a young couple walked out of the restaurant to their car. The girl had long blond hair and was wearing a pink spaghetti strap tank top with white shorts. She was a pretty girl and Gabe quickly noticed. He sprang to life in the back seat of the truck and declared, "Hot Hot Hot!" Oh my. Remember, he just turned five in May. I am in so much trouble with this one. : ) Happy Fourth of July everone.

The White Shirt

I typically write the episodes of our life in the first person having been witness to the antics that is our family. Unfortunately, today’s story happened while I was out of town and I am sharing the story as told to me by Steven.

It was with great stress and guilt this morning that I left for the airport for a business trip as Steven stayed home with Gabe (who had diarrhea) and Grace (who was throwing up). After arriving in Birmingham, I called Steven to find out how things were going. He told me that he had been sorting clothes to wash on the bathroom floor when Gabe declared he had to pee. Poor Gabe went into pee and while standing there he ended up having an explosive episode from the other side. One of Steven’s white t-shirts fell victim. Steven scrubbed and rinsed the shirt and then sprayed it with Shout and put it to soak in the bathroom sink.

A little while later Grace woke from a nap and ran into the bathroom to vomit. She didn’t make it to the toilet but instead threw up…. yep, in the sink on top of shirt.
I couldn’t hold my laughter when Steven told me but don’t worry, he said he too had to laugh. While he was laughing, Grace declared… “Dad, you’re going to want to clean that sink.”

It will be good to be home. I need to take care of my babies and my wonderful hubby!

Antiques are valuable... right?

Gabe was mad at me this morning because I was making him do something terrible... he had to brush his teeth. So, in his anger he yelled, "You're an antique." I couldn't believe what I heard so I said, "What did you say?" He validated my first thought, "I said you're an antique. That means you are a really old thing." I laughed out loud in spite of myself. : )

Boys Will Be Boys

As you may know, I spent my high school years in the band as a majorette. I still have a baton around and the kids enjoy playing with it from time to time. On Sunday night Grace had the baton and then it was Gabriel’s turn. He “twirled” it at first and then used it as a microphone and sang into it for a while.

And then… Gabriel was Gabriel.

Gabe took the baton and put it between his legs so that it stuck out in a way that underlined his boyness. He then said, “Momma, look at my big pickle” while he rocked his hips back and forth. Now, if he were twelve or even eight I might not have had the same reaction but when a four year old does it, it is rotten – but innocent and it made me laugh so hard that I cried.

Gabe Showing Off...

I was helping the kids get dressed this morning and while I looked for Gabe a pair of pants to wear, I asked him to take his pajama bottoms off. He also took his underwear off and then proceeded to shake his boy parts at Grace while saying, "Grace, look at my pickle. Look at my pickle." So then I called him over to put his clean clothes on and he put his hands over front and back and said, "Don't look at my butt crack." I asked, "You were just showing Grace your pickle. What does it matter.?" And then Gabe was Gabe and said, "I'm done showing it off now."

The One with the P's

Last night a friend reported that her husband had killed a coyote in the area. Lots of folks on Facebook told of how their dogs had been going crazy the last few nights and wondered if traveling coyote had been the reason. So, when Chicco kept taking nutters all night barking at “nothing” outside, I wondered myself if Willey was visiting us waiting to drop his anvil on Chicco’s head the next time I left him outside.

At bedtime I did what I always do and left Chicco out for his last jaunt around the house. He went crazy barking and when I finally got him in I saw a huge pile of poo. Being the brave woman that I am I of course yelled, “STEVEN, PLEASE COME LOOK AT THIS.” Because he loves me, but more because he knew I wouldn’t’ let it go, he trotted out with a flashlight to report on the type of poo. When he returned he said he really didn’t know what it was, perhaps one of the neighbors Rottweiler’s or perhaps Big Foot… (maybe even his brother Dan).

So, we went to bed. And, all night Chicco drove me crazy barking, whining, and wanting out. In the morning Steven left him out and then back in before leaving for work. Not two minutes later he wanted out again. Ugggg… I’m not one that can go without sleep and at this point, I’m thinking about tying a steak around his neck with a neon signs that says, “Acme Coyote Food Here”.

So, twenty-seven minutes before my alarm was to go off, I got up and left the dog out. On my way I found my first surprise. You see apparently Chicco wasn’t the only animal in the house that had been upset by the potential coyote visitors. The cats found Gabe’s book bag. And… yep… PISSED ALL OVER IT! If you are keeping score, this makes 4, yes 4, book bags ruined by my stupid DEMON CATS FROM THE DEPTHS of HELL.

In my nightgown, I took the book bag outside and disposed of the evidence before Gabe realized that his prized Thomas the Tank Engine back pack was going to the big graveyard for pissed on back packs.

As soon as I get the floor scrubbed of any drops of Demon pee, I hear Chicco (who I had forgotten outside) going nuts on the porch. I go out on the front porch (yes, still in my nightgown) to check out what the heck he is barking at and nearly pee in my own pants as the mystery beast is standing there and startled the heck out of me. “Good morning Nay Nay. Welcome back.”

Turns out it wasn’t a coyote, or a sasquatch, or even my brother-in-law Dan. It was just my neighbor’s delightful pony returning for a visit. By now the kids were up and wondering what the fuss was about. They asked for carrots and fed our returned friend through my bedroom window as if it were the best drive-through window ever.
One quick call and the neighbor came to retrieve her lost pony. The kids said their sad goodbyes once more but not to worry. Somehow I feel certain our friend Nay Nay will return. : )